VOLUME XCII FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 Warren, Watchung, Martinsville, Stirling, Millington, Gillette, Green Brook, Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights, New Providence Warren-Watchung Edition WINE & DINE DIRECTORY Inspirations for Your Best Valentine's Day Ever! LAWYER'S VIEW Make Estate Planning a Top New Year's Resolution FAMILY ADVENTURES Beat the Winter Blues-With Museum Passes from your Local Library! PLAY TO WIN! Details on page 6 Cover Artwork By Todd L.W. Doney
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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 6 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com Welcome to 2023 with the February edition of the Warren-Watchung Connection! I wish you much happiness, health and fulfillment in 2023. While cozied up by the fire this winter, take the time to peruse some of our featured sections. Love is in the air with our special Valentine’s Day section. Find the perfect locale for your romantic dinner date, using the Wine & Dine Directory. Look up local restaurants by town (websites and phone numbers provided as well). In addition, the Valentine’s section has great dining, gifts, beauty, and venue choices. Stay in good health with the help of our Health & Wellness section. Check out the Community Calendar and do something different by participating in one of the local events. Repairs and maintenance are easy when you use the Home & Design section as a resource for local contractors. In this New Year, we promise to consistently provide LOCAL content that matters to YOU! In return, we ask you to support our LOCAL businesses. As a community magazine, we recognize how shopping small has significant positive effects, such as: Increased Local Job Growth-When local businesses thrive, more hands are needed. Businesses are more likely to hire local. Community Growth- You are pouring money back into the local community, when you shop small, which leads to local prosperity. Personalized Service and Customized Selection-Local businesses get to know the tastes of their customers and will strive to meet them accordingly. Networking/Making Meaningful Connections- When you shop local, you widen your social and professional network by building relationships with the local business and their social network. Start the New Year off by putting your estate in order. Read our Lawyer’s View column by Gail Abrams, a local attorney, to learn more about estate planning and assigning powers of attorney. “What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do” is a must read, in which Dr. Michael Osit offers advice on effective decision-making and problem-solving strategies. Congrats to Dan Rosenberg, long time writer for The Connection Magazines, who authors our Random Connections column. Mr. Rosenberg has written a book! Elusive Links, his debut novel, illuminates fictional random connections. Be sure to visit his website at danarosenberg.com to purchase his book. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Vacchiano Farms has shared their famous recipe for corned beef and cabbage in our Pinch of Local Flavor. I can almost hear the sound of gurgling water as it gently travels down the brook in this charming depiction entitled Stream, Feb 25, 5:22PM, by our cover artist, Todd L.W. Doney. The oil painting was inspired by a view of Jockey Hollow on his way home from work. Todd explains, “The titles of my work depict the exact moment I viewed the scene. My paintings are an attempt to freeze in time nature’s ephemeral flux and their titles suggest that. Nature is fleeting and constantly changing. Not only seasonally and daily, but even hourly (sic).” Please read Todd’s impressive bio on page 8. Don’t forget to FOLLOW our social media channels. We truly do CONNECT you to your communities. Sincerely, Anna Petro, Publisher TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLISHED BY Connection Magazine, LLC • P.O. Box 4081 • Warren, NJ 07059 • 908-903-1799 • info@theconnectionsnj.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Connection Magazines. We publish all advertisements, editorials, and other content in good faith. We cannot guarantee or accept any liability for the accuracy of the claims made by our advertisers. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gail Abrams, Gail Bicknell ASID,CAPS, Rey Bolic, Andrea S. Freeman, VMD, MS, Carolyn Hanson, Joanne Kleinle, Ellyn Mantell, Katrina Musto, Dr. Michael Osit, Dan Rosenberg, Deborah Sacks-Wilner, Eva Turbiner Somewhere in this Magazine is a FAKE AD. Spot it and send your answer, name, city and phone number to: Spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com Subject Line: FAKE or play online at theconnectionsnj.com More than 350 people took part in our Spot The Fake Ad Contest in the November issue. Congratulations to everyone who “spotted” Cutting Corners!. SPOT THE FAKE! A NOTE FROM OUR PUBLISHER With from The Connection's Team! ON THE COVER Todd L.W. Doney . ..........................Page 8 CONNECTION COMMENDS Jurista Law......................................Page 10 Performance Rehabilitation ..........Page 41 EDITORIALS Lawyers’ View- Gail Abrams..........Page 13 VALENTINE’S DAY SECTION... Pages 14-22 Restaurant DirectoryWhere to Wine & Dine...................Page 23 SENIOR LIVING SECTION........ Pages 26-28 Slice of Life......................................Page 26 Senior Corner..................................Page 28 Pets’ Health- KIND Veterinary..............................Page 29 HOME & DESIGN SECTION........Pages 30-35 Hints for the Home – Fair Street Interiors........................Page 30 BERKELEY HEIGHTS SECTION...Pages 36-37 Random Connections. ....................Page 38 HEALTH & WELLNESS SECTION.........................................Pages 39-45 Mind the Mind................................Page 43 Medical MinutesPsychiatric & Behavioral Health........Page 43 Creative Corner..............................Page 47 KIDZ CONNECTION SECTION.................................Pages 48-49 Family Adventures..........................Page 48 COMMUNITY CALENDAR....... Pages 50-51 Community NewsZufall Health....................................Page 52 WINNER WINNER! The Warren-Watchung ‘Spot the Fake’ ad contest winner is Ann Wellbrock of Watchung. Ann won a gift certificate to Firm Lab in Warren. Founded by the Late Robin Fand OFFICE MANAGER Donna Reina EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Georgeann Agaisse SOCIAL MEDIA & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Heather Silver ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Patty Herman ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Alicia Singman
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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 8 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com Let us service your child's car so they can arrive safely 06 Plus If you’re seeking true, year-round traction, the ExtremeContact™ DWS is the ideal all-season tire for you. This ultra-high performance all-season tire comes complete with SportPlus™ Technology which provides precise handling, security on wet, slippery roads, and excellent tread life for an enhanced driving experience. Todd was born in Chicago, IL, and grew up in the near-north suburbs. He attended the prestigious American Academy of Art in Chicago where he was awarded the Union League Scholarship Award. Todd graduated in 1982 and immediately started his career as an illustrator. He worked as an illustrator until 2006, the year he started his gallery work. Todd’s gallery work includes one-person shows at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ, Broadfoot & Broadfoot Gallery, NY, NY, & Boonton, NJ, Morris Arts, Morristown, NJ, and The College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ, among others. His paintings have also been exhibited at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s official residence, in Princeton, NJ, The Paterson Museum in Paterson, NJ, The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, The Arts for the Parks National Competition in Wyoming, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibitions in New York, to name a few. Todd received his M.F.A. in Painting from New Jersey City University. Currently, he is an associate professor of art at the County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ, where he teaches drawing, painting, and foundation classes. Todd lives with his family in Gillette, New Jersey. His home is situated adjacent to the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, which is an inspiration for much of his work Currently, Todd’s work is being represented by: Broadfoot & Broadfoot: A Collection of Fine Art 819 Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005 646-808-7470 • broadfootandbroadfoot.com TODD L.W. DONEY todddoney.com Todd received his M.F.A. in Painting from New Jersey City University. Currently, he is an associate professor of art at the County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ, where he teaches drawing, painting, and foundation classes. ON THE COVER 152 Liberty Corner Road Warren, NJ 07059 :PVS 6 4 #BOL NPSUHBHF UFBN JT IFSF usbank.com/mortgage Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loans amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage, Iome Fquity and Dredit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©202 U.S. Bank Libby Hontz 0RUWJDJH /RDQ 2IILFHU PGGJDF 908.581.9554 DFMM libby.hontz@usbank.com NMLS# 602511 Tony Clintock 1DWLRQDO 5HWDLO 6DOHV (VP q (DVW 732.841.4677 tony.clintock@usbank.com NMLS# 837683 Mark Ward %UDQFK 0DQDJHU &HUWLILHG &RQVWUXFWLRQ /RDQ 6SHFLDOLVW PGGJDF 908.500.5114 DFMM mark.ward@usbank.com NMLS# 624105 9HQNDWDSDWK\ 9 %RE 'KLYDNDUDEDEX 0RUWJDJH /RDQ 2IILFHU PGGJDF DFMM YERE GKLYDNDUDEDEX#XVEDQN FRP NMLS# Marc Bauer 0RUWJDJH /RDQ 2IILFHU 908.991.4867 PGGJDF DFMM marc.bauer@usbank.com NMLS# 624089 3HWHU *RVWLQ 0RUWJDJH /RDQ 2IILFHU PGGJDF DFMM SHWHU JRVWLQ#XVEDQN FRP NMLS #
THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 10 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TO SEE HOWWE CAN HELPWITH YOUR LEGAL NEEDS PRACTICAL ADVICE, PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND VIGOROUS REPRESENTATIONWHEN YOU NEED IT. FOR EVERY CHALLENGE, WE HAVE A SOLUTION (908) 248-4870 101 Town Center Drive, Suite 119 Warren, New Jersey 07059 info@juristalawllc.com www.juristalawllc.com CIVIL LITIGATION With a combination of extensive experience, aggressive legal representation and a deliberate approach, we represent and guide both individuals and businesses through all aspects of the legal system. CORPORATE SERVICES Through strategic planning, guidance and risk management, we provide comprehensive and consultative services for daily business operations on a variety of transactional matters. LANDLORD-TENANT We provide comprehensive services for all aspects of residential and commercial tenancy relationships, including lease preparation and review as well as representation of both landlords and tenants throughout eviction proceedings. Michael Jurista grew up in Warren and understands the value of staying loyal to your hometown. “I graduated from Watchung Hills and always thought it was important for me to come back home.” Now not only does he again reside in Warren, but Michael is extremely excited and honored to finally “have an office in the center of my hometown.” After attending Penn State and graduating from New York Law School (“where they don’t prepare you to be a lawyer but instead prepare you to take tests!”), he joined a large law firm and learned from some of the best lawyers in New Jersey, some of whom are judges today, who taught him everything there is to know about litigation. “While I certainly learned a lot, I didn’t get that ‘on your feet’ excitement that you see on TV,” he recalls, so he joined a smaller firm where he was in court almost instantaneously for trials and loved it. “Getting hands-on experience while being able to speak directly with clients day-to-day was wonderful.” Then one of his clients recruited Michael to be his general counsel. “They were a real estate and private equity company, with a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate as well as operating businesses,” Michael says. “What that experience gave me was the ability to take what I learned in litigation and expand my knowledge base to become wellversed in corporate and business law, as well as real estate, including landlord-tenant, and employment law,” he explains. “Not all lawyers have that broad wealth of information.” Michael described it as a “tremendous learning experience,” leading him to start his own firm in 2021 to get back into litigation, finding that he really missed it. However, unlike before, he found an advantage insofar as he is able to take a wide variety of cases that clients can usually only go to a big law firm to get. “I can offer big firm advice on a wide variety of subjects, but in a more personalized small firm environment,” adding “I am able to provide that personal touch. If a client calls Jurista Law, they get me directly,” which he says they greatly appreciate. “The most important piece to being a lawyer is the building of relationships,” he says, as most of his clients come to him from current and former relationships he has built over the years, including those with other lawyers in the profession. “It is very important as lawyers that we have a mutual respect for each other, even though we may disagree on issues,” he says. But while these relationships “are important to drive my business forward,” he adds, Michael points out that “at the end of the day, it’s not just about operating a business, but it’s making sure the clients that come to you get the help they are seeking when they first call you. And you do it in such a way that is professional, personal, and understanding of their issues.” The most exciting aspect in the day and life of an attorney? That it rarely is ever what Michael expects it to be. “I love speaking to new clients and learning about them,” he says, adding, “I hear about a lot of different issues. So to be able to constantly educate myself while at the same time coming up with creative ways to solve issues for my clients is extremely rewarding.” Sounds like a win-win. By Katrina Musto Local Lawyer Serves His Hometown 101 Town Center Drive, Suite 119 Warren, NJ 07059 (908) 248-4870 juristalawllc.com COMMENDS CONNECTION After attending Penn State and graduating from New York Law School (“where they don’t prepare you to be a lawyer but instead prepare you to take tests!”), he joined a large law firm and learned from some of the best lawyers in New Jersey, some of whom are judges today, who taught him everything there is to know about litigation.
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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 13 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com • Are You Prepared for the Unthinkable? • Is Your Estate Plan Complete? • Do You Have an Estate Plan? • Do you have Minor Children? Who will take care of them if you get Sick or Pass Away Unexpectedly! • Do you Have Pets? If so consider a Pet Provision in your Trust or Will. • Do You Understand what Happens when you Die Without a Last Will and Testament or Trust? • Who can Legally Make your Healthcare and Financial Decisions should you become Incapacitated? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ With over 29+ years in the business, I know what matters! We will custom draft your plans to fit your personal needs. • Last Will & Testaments • Revocable Living Trusts • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney for Assets & Health Care Is Your Estate Plan Updated for 2023? Custom Drafted Estate Plans To Fit Your Individual Needs Gail L. Abrams Attorney at Law 908-753-4155 7 Johnston Drive, Watchung, NJ Creating Powers of Attorney will ensure you get to select the person you want to represent you. If you do not create these important documents with an experienced attorney, there may be catastrophic consequences for your family. This year, make a resolution to prioritize estate planning. Estate planning is something that always seems to go on the tomorrow list. It can be difficult to plan for the future when we are constantly just trying to keep up with our daily work and home lives. But no one knows when illness or a catastrophic event will happen in our lives. If you do not have an estate plan, will your loved ones be left scrambling to figure out what to do? Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your family and your future self. There is no time like the present to evaluate the estate planning that you have (or have not) undertaken. There is a high likelihood that many of us will become incapacitated at some point in our lives. People tend to think you need to be a certain age for this to occur. Incapacity can happen at any time and at any age. Anyone over the age of 18 needs to start thinking about estate planning. Powers of Attorney are some of the most critical documents to create while you are alive. Powers of Attorney ensure that the person you love and trust will be the one managing your bank accounts, property, and investments and determining your health care should you become incapacitated. Creating Powers of Attorney will ensure you get to select the person you want to represent you. If you do not create these important documents with an experienced attorney, there may be catastrophic conse- quences for your family. Additionally, many people do not understand that once you create the documents, they must be recorded with the financial institutions to be effective. Moreover, the wrong family member may take advantage of your precarious situation, if you do not designate the person you love and trust. These documents are more complex than people think. Using an experienced attorney can help you to understand the negative and positive implications of setting up a Power of Attorney properly. Some other relevant estate planning considerations for you and your family include: • Is my current estate plan structured to promote ease of administration and minimize family effort and expense, or even controversy, at my death? • Is your estate plan up-to-date with the current federal economic and tax policy changes that have affected estate planning documents since 2018? • All estate plans since 2018 may need to be reviewed to ensure they are up to date with changes in the law. Depending on your situation, there are many different options regarding estate planning. Estate planning should be done by a qualified and experienced attorney that specializes in this arena. You have spent your whole life accumulating your wealth. Why not ensure that it is maintained if you become incapacitated and additionally, secure your legacy to your heirs when you pass away? Enlist an experienced attorney who can help guide your estate planning experience from start to finish and tailor your documents to strategically meet your needs and wishes for the future. For more help in assessing your estate and financial planning needs, please contact The Law Office of Gail Abrams at 908753-4155. She is located at 7 Johnston Drive, Watchung, NJ 07069. Her email is gabrams@siafinancial.com. By Gail Abrams, Attorney at Law LAWYER’S VIEW Make Estate Planning a Top New Year’s Resolution
theconnectionsnj.com SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 15 Including SALE ITEMS! 1 5% OFF Your Entire Purchase Town Center Dr Lukas’ Seafood & Grille With this coupon. Offer valid now thru Febraury 28. 2023 EVERYTHING ALWAYS ON SALE BELOW $10.97 EXTENSIVE SELECTION VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF Next to Lukas' Restaurant 61 C Mountain Blvd. 908-222-WINE What We Are All About Welcome fellow wine lovers! You may be unfamiliar with us; we are a one-of-a-kind local wine shop in the heart of Warren. If you want to know what makes us so special and unique, read on… When you walk into our store you will find Tara, our store manager, wine buyer, and wine expert with 30 yrs. experience in the wine industry. She loves the challenge of finding awe-inspiring wines at awe-inspiring prices. You’ll findmany of our wines are highly rated, 90+ points byWine Spectator, Wine Advocate, andWine Enthusiast. Many are organic, single vineyards, and from exceptional family-run wineries from around the world. On top of that, at any given point you will find 800 to 1400 different wines from every major wine-producing country. Some aren’t widely known NOT because they’re “inferior” or “cheap” but because only a small number of all wines produced have the opportunity to be rated or have huge marketing dollars behind them. If you’d like to sample before buying, stop in on a Friday night tasting from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Last but not least, we offer private in store tastings, corporate tasting events and party planning assistance. Feel free to call or stop in with any questions or to book an event. The takeaway: 10 Below is not “just cheap wine”… It is quality wine retailing as high as $24 per bottle with the average price being $15 to $17, and on sale for $10.97 or less. Another sweet takeaway: Join our Wine Club! Receive 15% off mix and match case every Saturday. By Tara Arnold, Store Manager Here we have a store favorite, a 90pt Robert Parker organic rare red blend, 70% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha. You may be familiar with Monastrell as "Mourvedre" from France, but it's more affordable from Spain and well worth trying. This style is typified by Australian Shiraz, Sonoma Zinfandel, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Casa Los Frailes Vineyards has an interesting history dating back 300 years and is still owned by the same family since 1771. Today it's a 408 acre organic estate in Valencia, Spain where house, cellar, vineyards, Mediterranean forest, olive and almond trees, sheep and bees form a living farm organism. They’ve been certified organic since 2002. Tasting Notes: Deep, intense, fruit driven, filled with ripe fruit and spices. Characteristics: Pepper, spice, raspberry, plum and leather Regular Price $15.99 Sale Price $10.97 Los Frailes Red Blend (Valencia, Spain) 2018
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theconnectionsnj.com SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 20 www. .com kreationsbyanne 10% OFF Any Purchase Exp. 3/31/23 Open Tue - Sat SHOP LOCAL, SHOP KREATIONS Come See Our Spring Fashions 61C Mountain Blvd Warren, NJ 908-755-2700 PENELOPE'S POETIC PEN Our pens compose & write a beautiful poem for your loved one on Valentine's Day. Pens are available in Red, Blue, Pink & Black. Send your Valentine the perfect gift! ONLY $36.00 www.PenelopesPoeticPens.com The Best Way to Cook Corned Beef : Stovetop Corned Beef & Cabbage Corned beef cooked on the stovetop is the most classic preparation. You don’t need any special equipment; this is the technique for you to follow... • Place your corned beef brisket in a large pot or Dutch oven with enough water to cover it. • Add aromatics like carrot chunks, celery stalks and a quartered onion and cover with lid. These vegetables will infuse the cooking liquid with flavor as the corned beef simmers away. A Vacchiano Farm corned beef is seasoned with pickling spices, such as bay leaves, whole black peppercorns, mustard seeds, juniper berries, allspice berries and whole cloves. • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. • Once at a full boil reduce to a simmer, cover, and braise until very tender but not falling apart, about three hours for a three-pound brisket. A fork should easily pierce through the meat. • Now you can remove the brisket. • Cover it in foil, strain out the spices and aromatics. • Add new potatoes, green cabbage wedges and carrots to the cooking broth and simmer them until they are cooked through. At Vacchiano Farm we make our own mustards, horseradish and our world-famous rye bread or marble rye bread to compliment your fantastic St. Patrick’s Day dinner. (or any time of the year) A Pinch of...
theconnectionsnj.com SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 21 TRADITIONAL TURKISH AND MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 908-279-7779 41 Mountain Blvd., Warren Check out our menu on our website: zaytinrestaurant.com Come Dine In Our Newly Renovated Dining Room Book your Holiday and New Year's Reservations now! BYOB Open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner Breakfast Available on Weekends Not to be combined w/other offers. Exp. 3/31/2023 15% OFF DINING
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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 24 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com WE SERVE
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theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING PAGE 26 www.HigginsFuneralHome.com 752 Mountain Boulevard • Watchung, NJ 07069 Stephen Szczubelek, Mgr. NJ Lic. No. #4446 908-756-0017 Somewhere in this magazine is a FAKE AD SPOT IT & email your answer to info@theconnectionsnj.com Include your Name, Town & Phone Number Subject Line: FAKE AD OR Go to theconnectionsnj.com to play ONLINE After decades of doing our jobs, building our careers, identifying ourselves by the work we do and the accomplishments we’ve achieved, retirement looms large for most of us. Many will admit to fear being the overwhelming emotion they experience as the “first day of the rest of our lives” is in their headlights. Perhaps there is a way to reframe what seems fraught with uncertainty to the incredible opportunities that may very well present themselves. By remaining positive and enthusiastic, two cornerstones to achieving success, this period of time has the potential to be rather amazing. There are those who will continue to work long beyond “retirement age” because they embrace with fervor their professions. However, in speaking with many of my friends at this stage of life, it is apparent that some feel relieved to “just be”, without the demands of their jobs or professions. Some look forward to redefining themselves as they no longer feel the need to identify with the financial rewards of their past. Among those who wish to redefine themselves, there are different possibilities. One of my friends is enthusiastic about returning to the classroom, this time not as a teacher, but as an aide, without the pressure of keeping up with the constantly evolving technology, or the responsibility of lesson plans. My friend loves working with children and sharing her well-honed skills. One of my friends is opening her heart and mind to working with dogs because that is truly a “first love.” She now has the time to train and transport her pet to make life better for those in need of the peace and tranquility animals provide. Imagine the contribution my friend is capable of making with her ability to devote her newfound time and energy. There are other friends who love the road enough to drive others to medical appointments, as well as airports and other destinations. Their car service provides the extra cash that comes in handy when their wanderlust takes them to their own vacation destinations. Freedom on the road plus extra funds equals double enjoyment! The baby boomers may be the first generation to have these many options available to us. Prior generations seemed, in general, to feel their careers ended with the proverbial gold watch presented at the termination of their services. For many, I imagine, it felt as if their lives were over once they received their final paycheck. The most difficult transition may be for those who define themselves by their career or profession, tamping down their interests. And yet, there are many rewards from utilizing their energy and talents in new and different ways. Society would benefit from those skills and the retiree’s interest in utilizing them in different ways. My mind goes not only to educators, but also to other professionals who are capable of mentoring young accountants, attorneys, physicians, as well as writers, artists, and poets. The ability to redefine ourselves is a gift that may continue to evolve for years or decades to come. Who we have been has brought us to this remarkable time of our lives. Looking back can propel us to look forward. If we are open to it, we are so fortunate to have one ending lead to so many new beginnings. The ability to redefine ourselves is a gift that may continue to evolve for years or decades to come. Who we have been has brought us to this remarkable time of our lives. Looking back can propel us to look forward. Reframing Retirement SLICE OF LIFE By Ellyn Mantell
theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING PAGE 27 Live Each Moment to the Fullest at Somerset County's Premier Assisted Living Community for Over 20 years. Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Call Today for a Visit and Lunch! 908-903-0911 274 King George Rd., Warren, NJ 07059 chelseaseniorliving.com Various Sized Beautiful Apartments Vibrant Lifestyle Program and Trips Dedicated 24/7 Staff Gourmet Meals Compassionate Wellness Staff PT/OT in House Hair Salon on Site Picturesque Gardens and Walking Paths
theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING PAGE 28 Imagine walking along a beautiful trail through a nature preserve or honing your short game on a pristine putting green. Celebrate for no reason with five-star dining at Wilson’s Tapas Bar & Lounge or gather with friends on Wilson’s patio as you sip a martini in front of the fire wall. Make a date to catch a performance by a professional troupe at Sieminski Theater. Indulge in a massage or take a yoga class with one of our fitness trainers. Explore the benefits of personalized wellness and the convenience of our new Medical Group Practice for all your healthcare needs. CALL US TODAY AT 908-529-0217 TO DISCOVER EVERYTHING FELLOWSHIP VILLAGE HAS TO OFFER YOU! DISCOVER INSPIRED LIVING AT FELLOWSHIP VILLAGE... Live life your way! F A V I B R A N T L I F E P L A N COMM U N I T Y AWA I T S Y O U ! By Ellyn Mantell It always puts a smile on my face when I see a toddler ambling along, upright with great pride. They sense that is where the outside world real- ly exists. Many simply follow older siblings, while others are propelled, I would assume, by instinct. Regardless of what motivates or leads these babies to become erect, they seem to connect with their environment in a more meaningful way. Sadly, as we age, we decline in our ability to remain erect, compressing not only our bodies but our focus on our surroundings. One of the many reasons I respect and advocate for assisted living facilities is that they provide physical therapy, as well as attention to mechanical devices for ambulating. Initially, residents typically become angry at the thought of an assisted device for walking or standing, but with proper guidance, they accept its importance. Not only do these devices prevent falls, but they enable residents to be more erect. Since the body is meant to remain erect, organs will not be compressed or challenged in a body that can support itself. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are both excellent tools for supporting the aging body to remain erect and safe. Strengthening the limbs, as well as the abdominal musculature, all make for a sturdier body. Additionally, many people do not take in as many calories as they age, which causes loss of body mass. Turning unused muscles into stronger ones is incredibly helpful. If your parent or loved one is not receiving physical therapy and you believe it would be helpful, reach out to their physician. Medicare guides internists to ask the patient at each appointment: Are you fearful of falling?; Are you unsteady on your feet?; Do you have stairs to consider? The patient who answers honestly may find themselves with a prescription for therapy. Therapy may include assisting in standing more erect to decrease compression and its concomitant issues. We cannot prevent all falls, since we may not be able to stop one from happening, even if we are standing right there. It is a terrifying thought. But with strengthening and newer mechanical devices, we are better protected as we age. My adorable mother-in-law always told me that “aging is not for wimps” and she is one hundred percent correct. But with some assistance from the right sources, we can be standing stronger and taller as we do it. After all, aging may not be for wimps, but we all want the opportunity to do it our way! Standing Up For Ourselves! SENIOR CORNER My adorable mother-in-law always told me that “aging is not for wimps” and she is one hundred percent correct. But with some assistance from the right sources, we can be standing stronger and taller as we do it.
THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 29 FEB/MARCH 2023 theconnectionsnj.com NOWOPEN! Our new state-of-the-art hospital is open! Services include: Like and Follow us on Facebook It’s no secret that our pets can’t brush their teeth. Imagine not brushing your teeth for days, weeks, months, or even years. This is the case for many dogs and cats. Without routine dental care, plaque and bacteria accumulate under the gum line and also on the surface of the teeth, creating cavities. Over time this plaque and bacteria erode at the ligament that holds the teeth in place causing teeth to become increasingly loose. Bacteria then have the opportunity to travel down to tooth roots and cause a deep infection there. Bad breath is the least of the problems in that case. Serious pain may arise, but worse than that, bacteremia, a condition when bacteria cross into the bloodstream and cause serious illness, may occur. If you’ve ever had a toothache or even a small canker sore in your mouth, you know that oral pain can be extremely bothersome in the least and exceedingly painful in the case of an infected tooth root or a broken tooth. For dogs and cats, oral pain not only means that it is difficult and/or uncomfortable to eat and drink, but poor oral health impacts many other facets of their lives. They use their mouths to scratch an itch, to pick up a toy or play ball, and especially for cats, to groom themselves. Periodontal disease in our pets is extremely common. In fact, studies have found that by two years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal diseases. So why then, do even really dedicated pet owners so often ignore their pets’ dental health? The answer is simple…most pets don’t like their teeth brushed. They aren’t trained early on to accept teeth brushing and so it becomes difficult, or even dangerous as some pets may inadvertently chew or bite during the process. When this is the case, a variety of other dental health alternatives may be utilized – including dental chews, wipes, sealants, and other oral supplements to help prevent plaque accumulation. Ultimately, however, none of these can take the place of a thorough professional dental cleaning. During a dental cleaning performed by a veterinarian, the teeth are scaled to remove plaque and tartar, polished, and probed to evaluate the extent of periodontal disease. Often dental x-rays are utilized to evaluate the health of the tooth and jaw below the gum line. Dental sealants may also be applied to help delay plaque and tartar accumulation. Many pet parents ask me to scale their pet’s teeth while they are awake or otherwise seem reluctant to anesthetize their pet for a dental cleaning. However, there is no substitute for a dental cleaning performed under anesthesia during which time all surfaces of the teeth (including those on the inside/alongside the tongue and those below the gum line), may be thoroughly examined, scaled and polished. Pets that have routine dentistry performed regularly (ideally at least once a year), are much more likely to have healthy, pain-free mouths and to maintain their teeth well into their advanced years. Pets that don’t receive dental care until later in life when their teeth are loose and diseased are much more likely to have concurrent heart, lung, liver, and kidney infections. They are also more likely to need lengthy and more painful anesthetic procedures to remove diseased teeth and to treat deep-seated tooth and jawbone infections. In between routine veterinary dental cleanings, I typically recommend that my clients utilize maintenance dental health products that bear the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) on them. The manufacturers of these products have submitted study data to prove efficacy in preventing plaque and tartar buildup in animals. A list of products that have been awarded the VOHC seal can be found on their website at www.vohc.org. February is National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a reminder to not neglect our pets’ oral health or comfort and that if your pet hasn’t had a dental cleaning recently, you should strongly consider scheduling one. But oral care isn’t just a once-a-year thing, routine care yearround is important for keeping our pets’ mouths healthy and ultimately for our furry family members to live longer, happier, and healthier lives. At KIND Veterinary Care Center, we are committed to providing exceptional and compassionate, life-long care for our patients. As a full-service veterinary hospital, we offer comprehensive and convenient medical, dental and surgical services with a personal touch. The Importance of Pet Oral Health February is National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a reminder to not neglect our pets’ oral health or comfort and that if your pet hasn’t had a dental cleaning recently, you should strongly consider scheduling one. PETS’ HEALTH By Andrea S. Freeman, VMD, MS
theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 30 Fair Street Interiors fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com 908-334-1953 Design for Interiors & Home Modifications Plain and simple, you should love your kitchen. It truly is the heart of the home~the place where you cook, eat, and gather. When you have people over, they congregate there with food, drink, friendship, and family. In my opinion, it’s the most important space in a home. And if you’re thinking of renovating or updating your kitchen, the time has never been better. Supply chain issues are abating, delivery lead times are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and new trends are finally replacing old. After deciding on the layout, the first building block of the kitchen design is the cabinetry. The cabinetry you choose will be the most impactful design element in the kitchen~it will be the first thing you see in the room and take up most of the visual field. Your cabinetry provides essential storage and function and will probably be the most expensive component of your project. If you’re like me, you may have seriously outlived the “all-white kitchen” era. Yes, white is clean and elegant. White also serves are the perfect backdrop for other, more interesting colors and 2023 will bring us anything but all-white. There is a real return to wood in kitchens, from rustic and bleached to more traditional dark stained cabinetry. Those of you who have always loved wood in the kitchen can rejoice~and reimagine. Shaker remains the most popular choice in cabinet styles. This year we’ll see a bit more detail added to these silhouettes~double frames, mitered edge details, and skinny shaker (just as it sounds, the rails and stiles of the door are much narrower than traditional, showing a wider expanse of the door panel). And being versatile, classic, and timeless, shaker cabinetry appeals to a wide range of buyers, holds its value, and is considered a selling point when a home goes on the market. If you think you might change homes within 10-15 years, shaker is a great choice. Ever-popular islands are seeing a slight decline in popularity, being replaced with large gathering tables that allow multi-function in seating and food prep. Paired with a practical bench or comfortable banquette, a generous table with seating is perfect for a larger family or those who entertain. One of the most defining trends this year may be thicker countertops. Traditionally 1.25”- 1.5”, new countertops are ranging 2” to 3” thick. This detail alone gives a kitchen the feel of more visual weight and permanence. For years, due to performance and selection, quartz surfaces have replaced granite in popularity. In 2023 we’ll see more of a mix of materials in countertops~in the same kitchen. For example, quartz might be used on perimeter cabinets with marble, wood, or soapstone on an island or adjacent work area. Where polished surfaces are easy to maintain and clean, honed surfaces add sophistication and softness. As far as details, backsplashes are trending away from monochromatic slabs and subway tiles to more color and pattern and you’ll begin to again see bold and colorful wallcoverings and window treatments in kitchens, eating areas, and pantries. Choices in cabinet hardware, too, are unlimited~natural metals in patinated finishes, semi-precious stones set in brass, and leather fobs are new alternatives for opening your cabinets and drawers! Ready to update the heart of your home? I’d love to talk with you! Email: fairstreetinteriors@gmail.com and mention the Connection Magazine for a complimentary 30-minute kitchen consult. (Offer limited to distribution area of Connection customers only.) By Gail Bicknell What’s New in the Heart of the Home? HINTS FOR THE HOME Fair Street Interiors
theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 31 /ÀiV Ê À>ÃÊUÊ ÀÞÊ7iÃÊ i>`iÀÊ À>Ê*«iÃÊUÊ-ÌÀÊ À>à >ÃiiÌÊ7>ÌiÀ«Àv} À>>}iÊ-Ü>ià -Õ«Ê*Õ«Ê*Ìà ÀÛiÜ>ÞÊ À>ÃÊÊ >ÜÊ À>à >ÌV Ê >Ãà 908.322.9617 The work we leave behind is our business card. Price, quality, detail and cleanliness is our reputation. From the equipment we use, to the finished work, you'll know you are trusting your home's beauty to professionals. galbraithlandscapeconstruction.com CREATING BEAUTIFUL ROOMS SINCE THE 1980'S COME VISIT OUR SHOWROOM or Call for an appointment Showroom: Steve owner cell: 908-757- 6 1 1 1 908-413-3886 Domestic & Imported Tile . Sales & Installation Gateway East 53 Mountain Blvd, Warren
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